Rwanda has recently incorporated various activities like theatre, film and dance into the Kwibuka (commemoration) period.

Commemoration songs and few poetry items used to dominate airwaves, while at the Umudugudu (village) level, live music by local musicians, commemoration messages, poetry and testimonies by genocide survivors were some of the main items for the vigils.

Film screening sessions are usually rare given the generally low film or cinema culture. Kigali’s Goethe institute, a German Cultural Centre has sine 2012 scheduled films during the commemoration period, were entrance is free.

With Rwanda Film Festival, film screenings sessions have been a gradual culture, “Screenings were initially inspired by the fact that people wanted to be part of the festival prior to the actual dates in July,” explains Victor Kagimba, Rwanda Film Festival director.

Since last year, Rwanda Film Festival now does free film screening in Kimironko market, in Kigali city suburbs which attracted a huge number of people. He, however said since these events are free to public, organisation, facilitation and logistical support is not always guaranteed. 

Notable among films by international and local film makers being screened are Sometimes in April, 100 Days, Through My Eyes, Keepers of Memory and of late Intore. These sessions are characterised by question and answer segments in the presence of filmmakers. As the activity advanced, workshops too were organised prior to the festival. 

In the beginning about 15 to 20 people could grace the small scale Kwetu Film Institute screenings in Kigali. Lately, the numbers have increased to 50 people at various locations like hotels Kigali, Serena and Des Mille Collines.

But still a low turn up is cited at these screening, “One of our responses to this, is finding our audience where they are, like in schools, Institutions, public spaces where we stage screenings,” Mr Kagimba says.

With dance and theatre hardly thought of during commemoration, since 2012, Sick City Entertainment, a dance group made up of youth emerged with a unique concept.

Our Past, an event which incorporates dance, poetry and music as tools to sensitise public on unity and reconciliation as well as fundraising for 1994 Genocide survivors.

Since its initiation, the event has attracted over 1,500 people, “I attend this event mainly to understand what the 1994 encompassed, since I didn’t witness it, and more so to share ideas on how as youth we can further develop our country,” explains Fabrice Musoni, a student.

In the past two years, theatre too has been adopted to sensitise, educate and engage society into commemoration activities. Carole Karemera, the director of Ishyo Arts Centre explains how theatre was so subdued especially as the country emerged from the genocide, “The nation was full of suspicion towards public events and art works about Genocide themes at that time,” she adds.

One of the still memorable activities was the Shadows of Memory, a theatre presentation for the 20th Genocide commemoration ceremony at Kigali’s Amahoro stadium, with a cast of 800 people from Mashirika Performing Arts and Media Company.

The presentation by director Penny Jones of poetry, theatre, music and dance artistically portrayed the history of Rwanda from colonial, post-colonial to the 1994 Rwandan Genocide.

Mashirika Peforming Arts and Media Company further organises the Ubumuntu Arts Festival, an event which concludes the 100 Days of Commemoration. The festival which was initiated last year encompasses expression of music, dance, drama and exhibitions with a theme addressing humanity.

Ishyo Arts Centre, a Rwandan theatre company has in recent years emerged with theatre presentations sensitising public about the 1994 Genocide. This year during it showcased We Call it Love, a Rwanda-French drama between a woman and her son’s killer questioning the concept of justice, forgiveness and reconciliation.